r/EssendonFC • u/TheDooganGoblin Up the Dons • 4d ago
To draft, or not to draft.
Can’t help but feel we aren’t giving enough consideration to the potential long term impact HVH could have in our developing team.
I do have faith in Vigo, but not 100% on Bryan. Love Blakiston’s effort but he is not in our future, and McKay will be working in some form of finance marketing role soon enough.
Call me a nuffie, but with the talent we have to work with, would it not make sense to have HVH, who is being touted as a very unique draftee, develop along side our youth so he is at his prime in 3-5 years when we are hopefully competing much more seriously with a strong midfield and quick transition game up the field to a future Coleman medalist in Caddy and a group of dangerous smalls around him?
Keen to hear some thoughts.
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u/akito_shigaraki 4d ago
I go with Drever or Butler.
Rhys Stanley (2022) Mason Cox (2023) and further back Tom Boyd (2016) are proof that not all premiership sides need a dominant ruckman. Grundy (2024) smashed Fort, but Swans lost by 10 goals and Jackson (not drafted by Freo) just smacked Draper and didn't win.
My point is while a monster ruck may be handy, history shows a dominant ruck does not necessarily equate to the ultimate success. I'd rather make sure we have good ball users first otherwise if Vigo,Bryan or HVH get their hand on it first only to go to the opposition, what's the point?
Vigo/Bryan/Wright and perhaps Blakiston will do right now.
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u/Fter267 3d ago
This was my stance on CDT as an eagle last year. Not to mention he's kind of an undersized full time ruck option so have we just drafted a KPF part time ruckman? The only redeeming element for me was that other than Robey I wasn't really sure on who else to take at that very top end and Robey we also a fair bit of a gamble as he was probably one of the biggest bolters in the history of the draft ever. Halfway through the year he wasn't even on the radar of draft boards but his final month of talent league footy was just phenomenal.
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u/Alert-Thought6589 4d ago
Yeah I'm down with that, HVH will be a (oh fk) moment for whoever passes on him especially when there's no standout midfielders anyway. Rich have played their draft hand perfectly HVH and a speculative mid
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u/thecontraryberry 4d ago
I definitely think you should not look at him at all, completely unsuitable, will set you back a dozenty-five years. From not a Richmond supporter at all, no siree. HANDS OFF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. 😆
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u/TheDooganGoblin Up the Dons 4d ago
Funny how a good portion of dons fans are dismissing HVH while the Tigers page is frothing over the thought of a potential generational ruck.. will be interesting to look back on.
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u/thecontraryberry 4d ago
Oh absolutely,will be a major talking point for sure over the next decade. I suspect Blair, or at least us rabid fans, may have infiltrated your pages and be spreading misinfirmation and discord😉
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u/Fter267 3d ago
Would be hilarious if the picks were reversed. Richmond don't grab HVH and the fans meltdown then Essendon pick up HVH and the fans meltdown
As a west coast fan I'm just hoping one of you guys pick him up to leave more of an option of drever, Butler and mellody for us
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u/thecontraryberry 1d ago
Oh the vitriol would be flying! But yeah, melody looks like a champ, would love him but don't think he'll sneak past you guys.
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u/ShirtWorldly958 4d ago
I still have belief in Bryan. At 25 is still quite young in rucking terms and yes he's no Luke Jackson but could still be serviceable in a Top 4 team with a bit more development.
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u/TurbulentSherbet3724 Sharp #15 4d ago
Far too many people have given up on him without taking into account that he came back from a long term ACL injury with no Pre-Season whatsoever. It was always going a difficult return for him and ideally he should been playing in the VFL to get back to full match fitness. But unfortunately we didn’t and still don’t have the Ruck depth. Prior to the injury he was developing really well.
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u/Quirky_DepartureHBK 4d ago
25 and coming off a knee. I don't think we have seen anywhere near his best.
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u/mcewanc2 4d ago
Blakiston… only we’d list a guy like that. He’s like mark bolton , he tries hard, gives effort but he’s just not good. We’ve had too many like that .. effort doesn’t win you games if you’re not up to it..
Anyway sorry.. I went off track there.
I’m too am for HVH.. I think he could be a generational ruckman with the right influence (Mummy).
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u/Rogan4Life 4d ago
I don’t think it’s important to have the best ruckmen. Gawn has one flag. More teams who win it have a good ruckman, but not necessarily the best.
I would rather not draft him and try to get him as a free agent down the road if he develops.
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u/Entirely-of-cheese Caddy #30 4d ago
If we had two early bites you’d consider it for sure. Even then we’d probably go with the best mid and key defender available due to needs.
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u/jubbjubbs4 4d ago
I agree that the way the modern game has changed and particularly the changes to ruck rules have made ruckmen one of the most important positions to fill.
The benefit of ruckmen who can also play like mids gives a significant advantage in the midfield.
Having said all that, a wont be upset with most of the other pick 1 contenders because they all offer something that we're lacking in as a team and in most cases we dont have the equivalent of vigo in those positions who could elevate to a solid level as an alternative.
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u/mia-v-p 4d ago
This is why we should have tried to trade up in the draft to get 2 picks in the top 6 like Richmond have.
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u/AndrewTyeFighter 4d ago
Richmond traded out their 2027 1st, 2nd and 4th round draft picks for that. We have Bewick and other NGA's next year we need points for so can't get anywhere close to what Richmond were offering.
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u/Non-NewtonianSnake Reid #31 4d ago
I'd be thrilled with HVH. Finding a guy with his athleticism and skillset is exceptionally rare.
But I'm happy with any of those top guys, tbh. They're all highly talented and they all bring something we need.
It's what we do with the rest if our picks that will be most interesting, I think.
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u/Equivalent-Grass4473 4d ago
If HVH is as good an athlete as has been described, then he's a must IMO.
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u/Medical_Cup_8008 Legacy: Lucas #25 4d ago
How do you know we aren’t giving him consideration? What do you know that no one else knows?
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u/CaddykakSnagorado 4d ago
IMO a good big man has more impact than a good small man. I’d be more than happy with HVH.
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u/Mammoth_Medium9220 8h ago
Rucks are the least important player on the ground. A B+ ruck is all you need. Would never in a million years waste a #1 pick in a ruck. Very glad the HvH stuff has blown over.
Give me a Harley Reid, Dustin Martin, Bont type. That’s what wins you flags.
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u/unrealretiree 4d ago
Blakiston reminds me of Kevin Walsh of the 80s who turned into a very good defender. Perhaps with a touck of Roger Merret. Blakiston is awkward but strong and a good engine.
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u/Responsible-Nail-800 4d ago
Definitely worth thinking about, however unique ruckman do not win you premierships.
Yes it’s harder to trade for a unique ruckman, than a solid midfielder, but the majority of premiership ruckman are serviceable, rather than superstars. Natanui never won a premiership, Maxy has won one (alongside a young Jackson). Otherwise mostly solid players (Nank, etc.).
If you can pick up an almost guaranteed star mid-fwd I’d go that way.